What is Hal Chhath or Hal Shashthi ?

Hal Chhath is one of the most famous festivals in the region of north India. Hal Shashthi is the occasion which is most popular in the farming community of the country.

Why is Hal Chhath or Hal Shashthi celebrated ?

Hal Chhath is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Balram - the elder brother of Lord Krishna. The day is also known as Shasti or Lalhi Shast. Shovel and pestle (Hal) were the main weapons of Balram. As a result, he is also referred to as Haldhar on many occassions.

Hal Chhath is primarily celebrated by the married women. Women observed a fast on that day for obtaining a male child or for good health of their children. They not only engage in the fast acts but also engage with various types of ritual acts for needy people. They performs a religious bath on that day to make themselves pure for the ritual acts. people worship Lord Balram and Lord Krishna on this day.

 

When is Hal Chhath or Hal Shashthi celebrated ?

According to the Hindu calendar, this fast is observed on the Shasti of Krishna Paksha in Bhadrapada every year. In 2011, Hal Shashthi will be celebrated on 19 August.

• The custom of brushing the teeth with Mahua is prevalent on Hal Chhath or Hal Shashthi.
• The food sown or ploughed with the shovel is not eaten on this day. That is why, women observing fast on this day eat only the rice of Nivar.
• The milk of cow is also not taken on this day.
• The women observing fast make a ‘Jal Kund’ in a corner of their houses after getting up in the morning. The branches of Ber, Palash, Fig and Kush grass are buried in it and the worship of Lalhi is done.
• The seven cereals namely wheat, gram, paddy, corn, sorghum, millet and pigeon pea are roasted and offered in this worship.
• The cloth coloured with turmeric and marriage related things are also offered in this worship.
   

Following mantra is chanted after the completion of whole worship:


Gangadware Param Kushavartem Vilavake Neel Parvate.
Snatva Kankhale Devi Haram Labdhvati Patim.
Lalite Subhage Devi Sukh Saubhagyam Dayini.
Anantam Dehi Saubhaugyam Mahayam Tubhyam Namo Namah.
 

The Shloka stated above means that Oh goddess! You have got lord Shiva as your husband after taking bath at sacred places like Ganga, Kushvrat, Vilvak, Neel Parvat and Kankhal. We bow before Lalita, the goddess bestowing happiness and fortune. Bless the eternal fortune to me.